Deaths

• Taylor McKenzie, MD
• Herman Dayea
• Shirley Willie
• Roselyn Bitsie
• Derrick Hoskie
• Manuela McKinley
• Victor Meese, Sr.

Taylor McKenzie, MD

GALLUP — Public memorial service for Taylor McKenzie, MD, 76, will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 18 at First Methodist Church.

Dr. McKenzie died Friday, April 13 in Albuquerque. He was born into the Red House Clan for Bitter Water Clan.

Dr. McKenzie was the first Navajo to become a medical doctor and surgeon, and the first and only Medical Officer of the Navajo Nation. He was Navajo Nation Vice President from 1999-2003. He served more than 40 years for the U.S. Public Health Service and Navajo Nation. He received awards including: Alumni of Year Award from Wheaton College and Baylor College; Distinguished Public Service Award; Commendation Medal; Nathan Davis Award; and the Navajo Nation Medal of Honor.

Survivors include his wife, Betty McKenzie of Gallup; sons, Michael, Marvin, Gilbert, Patrick, Edward, Jeremy; daughters, Judith, Claire, and Kathleen; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Association of Native American Medical Students for a scholarship fund.

Herman Dayea

LUPTON — Funeral services for Herman Dayea, 65, will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 17 at Cope Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow in Gallup City Cemetery.

Dayea died April 11, in Gallup. He was born November 7, 1942 in Lupton into the Water Flows Together Clan for the Black Sheep Clan.

Dayea completed the 8th grade at Phoenix Indian School. He was a lumberjack, carpenter, and ranch hand. His hobbies included making kachinas, spending time outdoors, and watching movies and sports.

Survivors include his brothers, John H. Dayea of Lupton and Leroy Dayea of Mentmore; sisters, Emma Silversmith of Lupton and Anna Dayea of Lupton.

Dayea was preceded in death by his father, Robert Dayea Sr.; mother, Desbah Dayea; brothers, Robert Dayea Jr. and Jake Dayea; sisters, Rose Dayea and Patsy Dayea.

Pallbearers will be Cameron Hoskie, Travis Benally, Kevin Dayea, Albert Yazzie, Justin Brown, and Michael Yazzie.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the Lupton Chapter House.

Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Shirley Willie

ST. MICHAELS — Memorial services for Shirley M. Willie, 64, will be at 11:30 a.m. Friday, April 20 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in St. Michaels.

Willie died November 28, 2006 in Overland Park, Kan. She was born October 1, 1942 in St. Michaels.

Survivors include her sons Frank, of Overland Park, Kans. and Davidson of Lawrence, Kan.; daughters, Shirlene of Overland Park, Kan.; brothers Larry and Harry; sister Sherry; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Willie was preceded in death by her parents Joe and Maggie Yazzie.

The family will receive relatives and friends at St. Michaels Chapter house following services.

Roselyn Bitsie

MEXICAN SPRINGS — Funeral services for Roselyn Nealwood Bitsie, 97, will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 18 at Rollie Palm Chapel. Pastor Bobby Boyd will officiate. Burial will be in Lone-Pine Cemetery in Mexican Springs.

Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m., Tuesday, April 17, at Rollie Palm Chapel.

Bitsie died April 12, in Mexican Springs. She was born April 10, 1910, in Mexican Springs into Salt People Clan for the Towering House People Clan.

Bitsie was a rancher, homemaker, and rug weaver. She enjoyed attending traditional ceremonies and being with family, relatives, and friends.

Survivors include her sons, Tommy Bitsie of Mexican Springs and Thurmond Bitsie Sr. of Tohatchi; daughters, Elizabeth Spencer of Indian Wells, Ariz. and Kathy Jim of Mexican Springs; 27 grandchildren; 63 great-grandchildren; and 23 great-great grandchildren.

Bitsie was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Bitsie; parents, Hoskie and Bizdeebah Nealwood; sons Kenneth Bitsie Sr., Wallace J. Bitsie; daughter, Ruth Becenti; brothers, Fred Etsitty, Grover Etsitty, and Jone Nealwood; sisters, Kathryn Nealwood Nez, Rose Wauneka, and Gladys John.

Pallbearers will be Kendrick T. Jim, Arnell A. Jim, Daniel Bitsie, Brandon Torivio, Ryan Becenti, and Gerimiah C. Begay.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the Mexican Springs Chapter House after services.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Derrick Hoskie

RED ROCK — Funeral services for Derrick Julian Hoskie, 25, will be at 10 a.m. today, April 17, at Rollie Palm Chapel. Sister Terry Goodin will officiate. Burial will follow on family land in Red Rock.

Hoskie died April 11, in Gallup. He was born September 17, 1981 in Denver, Colo., into and for the Towering House People.

Hoskie's hobbies included playing basketball with his cousins, fishing, and outdoor sports. He was always willing to help others.

Survivors include his daughter, Deandrea Joi Hoskie of Denver; father, Jerry Begay of Pinon; mother, Ruth Hoskie of Gallup; sisters Reanna Lynn Hoskie of Denver and Wyleen Summer Hoskie of Denver.

Hoskie was preceded in death by his grandfather, Dan Hoskie; and grandmother, Nellie Ceaser Hoskie.

Pallbearers will be Justin Descheny, Nathaniel Hoskie, Sherwin Hoskie, Herman M. Hoskie Jr., Aaron Martinez Jr., and Harrison Yazzie.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Manuela McKinley

GALLUP — Services for Manuela Suarez McKinley, 86, will be announced at a later date.

A rosary will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 18, at Rollie Mortuary.

McKinley died April 15 in Flagstaff. She was born June 17, 1920, in Dawson, NM.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Victor Meese, Sr.

GALLUP — Services for Victor J. Meese, Sr., 66, will be announced at a later date.

Meese died April 16 in Gallup. He was born December 19, 1940 in Gallup.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.